LISBURN PUSH COOKE TO THE FINAL WHISTLE

Cooke started this Junior Cup game on the heels of a disappointing midweek league encounter with Enniskillen. With Lisburn struggling at the bottom of section 2 and Cooke at the top of section one, even the home supporters did not hold out much hope for Lisburn but they were soon to be proven wrong. Lisburn soon set down a marker for Cooke in the third minute of play with a driving maul which started 30mts out and ended 1mts short of the line but they could not score. 8 mins in and following some good inter passing by the Cooke back line to the right wing the ball was then switched back inside to end up with Beggs who touched down left of the posts but he conversion was missed. (0-5)

On 15 mins Lisburn were unfortunate not to go ahead when Finlay made a break from the 22, through the Cooke defence only to spill the ball forward under the posts. Prop Armstrong who went down injured and received some treatment decided to play on but Lisburn took advantage by wheeling the subsequent scrum for a turnover and Armstrong was forced to retire from the game. With a re-jigged front row for Cooke the Lisburn pack won their scrum ball and drove the scrum the 5mts to the line and with the ball controlled at the feet of Lisburn no.8 Wilson, he made no mistakes and scored. Conversion kicked by out half Swanepoel. (7-5)

Lisburn then increased their lead following a line out on the Cooke 10mts line which they caught and drove to inside the 22mts line and were awarded a penalty. Kick converted by Swanepoel. (10-5)

Cooke had an opportunity 30 mins into the game to add three points to the score from a penalty just left of posts but the kick from Montgomery went wide. Five minutes later a break by Stewart and on to Aiona, was worked back to Stewart to feed Montgomery who scored left of the posts. (10-10)

This score line did not last long and 3mins later Lisburn were awarded a penalty on the half way line only to have it marched 10mts forward by referee Mark Patton for back chat from Stewart. Up stepped Swanepoel for Lisburn to add three more points. (13-10)

Just before the half time whistle the Lisburn no.4 Brown was yellow carded for using some expletives at the ref after being penalised for hands in the ruck.

HALF TIME - LISBURN 13 COOKE 10

10 mins into the second half and Swanepoel put Lisburn three more points ahead from a 30mts penalty kick. (16-10)

3 mins later Cooke were awarded a penalty close to the touch line inside the Lisburn half which was taken quickly and utility forward, Fraszer brushed aside several Lisburn players on his way to score a solo try. (16-15) Again only 3mins later and Cooke went ahead from a penalty kick converted by Beggs. (16-18)

26 mins in and a scorching run by centre Aiona saw him stopped just short of the line for the ball to be recycled and then picked up by Keith to force his way over the line. Kick converted by Beggs. (16-25)

Just when we thought it was all over in injury time, Lisburn were to prove otherwise. From a high ball kicked up field, the Cooke full back Beggs, unaccustomedly spilt the ball forward and the former Lisburn Captain, Kindred put boot to ball, raced ahead, and picked up to turn in an opportunist try under the posts. Kick converted by Swanepoel. (23-25) The final whistle was then blown one minute later to a relieved Cooke entourage.